As reported by WHO, yellow fever outbreaks have been notified by authority in Nigeria, Peru and Brazil. In order to prevent yellow fever into China, Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine issued an announcement on preventing yellow fever spreading to China on 19.01.2018.

Affected AreaVessels or visitors from below countries/areas are covered by this announcement:

Requirements to Crewmembers and VesselsAccording to the announcement, any person at age of 9 months and above from above mentioned countries/areas shall present valid vaccination certificate against yellow fever to the entry-exit inspection and quarantine institutions when entering China. For those without valid vaccination certificate, a 6-day observation calculating from the date they left the above countries/areas at their domicile is required.

If any person from above mentioned countries is found having symptoms fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and other symptoms, declaration should be made to the entry-exit inspection and quarantine institutions and body temperature monitoring, medical checks, sampling testing and other health and quarantine work shall be conducted. Persons who suffer from above symptoms should seek medical treatment immediately and explain recent travel history to the doctor in case having aforementioned symptoms after entering the country.

Effective disinfection should be made to aircrafts, vessels and containers from the aforementioned countries/areas. In case insects are found in the containers, waste and used articles and cargo; or the aircrafts, vessels and containers are found without a valid disinfection certificate, a distance of no less than 400m should be maintained away from the land and other vessels before conducting disinfection treatment.

Having checked with China CIQ via phone, we note that a mosquito eradication proof is required if the vessel has called any of aforementioned countries/areas during the same voyage.

Validity PeriodThis Announcement shall be effective from 19.01.2018 and be valid for 3 months.

For more details of the announcement, please refer to our free translation in appendix.

Implementation by Local CIQ OfficesHaving checked locally, we note that requirements of local CIQ among different Chinese ports may vary.

At some ports such as Xiamen, mosquito eradication measures shall be conducted at berth whether a written proof on effective disinfection of mosquito has been presented or not when entering China. At some ports such as Hainan, Longkou, Laizhou, Yantai, Qingdao and Rizhao, mosquito eradication certificate shall be presented during port entry formalities; otherwise, local CIQ will require mosquito eradication measures be conducted at anchorage before ship’s berthing. The above requirements may change as epidemic situation develops.

The cost of disinfection may be different among different Chinese ports. So far as we know, disinfection may be charged by vessel GT, ship type or other standard.

RecommendationsGiven the above, vessels that sail from ports within the affected countries/areas to China are recommended to obtain a mosquito eradication certificate before departure from affected countries/areas if possible. We also suggest owners check with local agent about local CIQ’s requirement before ship’s calling so as to avoid any possible delay or trouble when calling China.

Hope the above is of assistance.

Should you have any query, please feel free to contact us.

Sincerely yours,

Cui JiyuVice President

Free Translation

Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine of China Issued a Formal Announcement on Preventing Yellow Fever Spreading to China

According to the world health organization, Nigeria reported 341 suspected cases of yellow fever and 45 deaths in Nigeria from July 2, 2017 to December 19, 2017. From January 1, 2017 to December 23, 2017, there were 17 cases of yellow fever and 3 deaths were found in Peru. According to the Ministry of Health, Brazil, from July 1, 2017 to January 14, 2018, 470 cases of suspected cases of yellow fever were found in Brazil with 35 cases confirmed and 20 deaths. In order to prevent yellow fever spreading to China and ensure health and safety personnel travelling to the above countries, according to the Frontier Health and Quarantine Law of the People's Republic of China and the relevant provisions, now announced as follows:

1. Any person at age of 9 months and above from Nigeria, Peru, Brazil (except Ceará, Rio Grande do Norte, Paraíba, Pernambuco, Alagoas, Sergipe) shall present valid vaccination certificate against yellow fever to the entry-exit inspection and quarantine institutions when entering China. For those without valid vaccination certificate, a 6-day observation calculating from the date they left the above country at their domicile is required.

2. In case people from above mentioned countries/areas are found having symptoms fever, chills, headache, muscle pain and other symptoms, declaration should be made to the entry-exit inspection and quarantine institutions and conducting body temperature monitoring, medical checks, sampling testing and other health and quarantine work. Persons who suffer from above symptoms should seek medical treatment immediately and explain recent travel history to the doctor in case having aforementioned symptoms after entering the country.

3. Effective disinfection should be made to aircrafts, vessels and containers from the aforementioned countries/areas. In case insects are found in the containers, waste and used articles and cargo; or the aircrafts, vessels and containers are found without a valid disinfection certificate, a distance of no less than 400m should be maintained away from the land and other vessels before conducting disinfection treatment.

4. The port operation units shall take effective measures to remove mosquito breeding ground, monitor and control the density of mosquito. Entry-exit inspection and quarantine institutions should strengthen the port health supervision and mosquito surveillance.

5. Any person travels to the above countries/areas can inquire to local entry-exit inspection and quarantine institutions and the International travel health care centre for more information. Visitors can also visit the website (http://www.aqsiq.gov.cn) at health and quarantine column to query information. Travelers who go to the yellow fever endemic area are required to inoculate yellow fever vaccine 10 days in advance. Attention to avoid mosquito bites must be paid when traveling and immediate medical attention is needed once the symptoms detected.

6. Yellow fever is a mosquito-borne disease. The incubation period is 3-6 days. The symptoms mainly include fever, headache, muscle pain, nausea, vomiting and etc. In severe cases, jaundice, proteinuria, renal failure, shock and other symptoms may occur.

This Announcement shall be effective from 19.01.2018 and be valid for 3 months.